The United Nation Earth Summit in 1992 defined biological diversity or "biodiversity" as "the diversity between living organisms from various sources from land and other oceans and others that skipped aquatic ecosystems and part of the complex ecosystem included in species and between species and its ecosystem.
Just look around us. We have a wide variety of flowering plants, ferns, trees, insects, birds, fish and animals and their unique habitats such as mangrove swamps, rivers, highlands and coastal areas. The water we drink, the air we breathe and the clothes we wear, all of which come from nature and from the complex processes and services of nature that help maintain life on earth. All life on earth includes humans and the services of the ecosystem forming an integrated network of life. This is what the concept of biodiversity means. To date, about 1.75 million species have been identified. Scientists think there are about 13 million species, although it is estimated at between 3-100 million. With this biological diversity, Malaysia is recognized as one of the 17 richest biodiversity in the world or Megadverse country.
Universal human survival
Biodiversity gives us clean air, water, food, clothing, medicine and all our main needs to survive.
Benefits of ecosystems and services
Biodiversity controls the interactions of ecosystems and other complex biological processes including nutrient cycles, pollination, soil formation and protection, flood control and climate control.
Recreation and cultural value
Biodiversity provides aesthetic value, education, recreation, religion and culture. Biodiversity also plays an important role in the formation of cultural diversity for many communities.
Support the life
Biodiversity supports life on this earth at this time and in the future by allowing the organisms to adjust to adapt and grow according to environmental conditions.
Forest management in lasting
Under the Federal Constitution, forests are under the jurisdiction of the State Government where each state is responsible for formulating their respective policies and forestry laws. The executive power of the Federal Government is limited to providing advisory and technical assistance, training and research. To ensure that the implementation of forestry policies and programs is coordinated, the National Land Council has been created as a platform for the federal and state governments to discuss matters related to forestry policies and management in Malaysia.
Malaysia is very fortunate to be awarded high-value natural forest resources and contributed significantly to the country's socio-economic development. Forests in Malaysia are rich in various species of flora and fauna. It is the government's aspiration to ensure that at least 50 percent of the country's land area is maintained as a forest area and is covered by trees as the commitment stated during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992.
Forest management practices
Malaysia is committed to the implementation of forest management (PHSB). Malaysia emphasizes a balanced aspect of socio-economic development and the preservation of its original resources as enshrined in the National Forestry Policy Objectives 1978 (Amendment 1992) to:
- Preserve and manage national forests based on lasting management principles; and
- Protects the environment and preserves the diversity of life, genetic resources and improves research and education.
To ensure adequate supply of national timber, control over forest produce is based on forest management plans. The annual rationing of the Annual Tour (CTT) was also implemented to offset the total production and production of wood with the ability and area of forest production in permanent reserve forests. CTT compliance in states is reported to the National Land Council chaired by YAB Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.
